Last December, I went to the spa for the first time in my life. A belated birthday gift from my brother and his girlfriend, I got a facial and a full body massage and lost my spa-virginity, if ever that was a thing.
At all of 24 years old, I’d never taken the time to get professionally pampered. Ever. Going to the spa was always something other people did. People who made more money, who had more time… You know… Those people.
People who seemed to care a little more about their appearance than I did, people who seemed to invest a little more into themselves than I did, and let’s be honest, people who seemed to make – not a little but a lot – more than I did.
I never really considered going to the spa because for the longest time, I simply thought that I couldn’t afford it. And when I finally could afford it, I just didn’t see the point spending all that money on just…well…myself.
To this day, I can count the number of times I’ve gone to a salon in the last 10 years. On one hand. I just never saw the point of paying someone to do my hair when I could just do it at home. Or when, most days, I just throw it up into a bun anyway.
I used to look at women who get their hair and nails done regularly with odd curiosity. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that they willingly spent all that money on a regular basis to walk away with nothing but a new coat of paint on their fingernails or a hair-do that’ll eventually get sweated out or get slept on.
It’s safe to say that my mind has been changed, though.
Last Saturday, I spent the day at a spa with my mom, aunts and cousins, and all I kept thinking was “why on earth don’t I do this more often?!” I’ve been completely converted and am now firmly on ‘Team Spoil Yourself’.
Because if I don’t, who will?
If you don’t spoil yourself, who will?
We spend so much time at work, making money we’ll spend on everything from bills to booze but we never take time out to take care of ourselves the way we need to most, to show ourselves a little love for surviving as well as we do, to spoil ourselves. Because we can. We’re allowed to. And we should. Often.
As long as your bills are paid, there’s food in the kitchen cupboards and the lights are on, why feel bad about pampering yourself a little every now and then? Get your nails done, get a facial, go to the spa… Have some fun. Live your best life. Not “one day” when you’re “all grown up”, making the money you think that kind of life needs, but now.
Because life’s too damn short to skimp out on yourself.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!